by Kate Shunney
A discussion between Morgan County commissioners and West Virginia Division of Highways officials on Wednesday answered several sticky questions about the U.S. 522 Bypass project as the new 3.4-mile, four-lane is nearing completion.
The top question: when will the first portion of the bypass open to traffic?
“It’s possibly going to be open this month,” said Jon Burns, Construction Engineer for District 5.
Burns and Travis Ray, DOH division engineer, attended the November 6 meeting with county officials to share details about the status of the bypass.
Highway officials asked for questions ahead of the meeting and answered those offered by The Morgan Messenger and Morgan County Commissioners.
What will dictate the opening of the bypass?
“The thing we’re working on currently is signage,” said Burns. In particular, the DOH wants to make it clear to tractor-trailers that the current bypass will not deliver them to northern points like Hancock, I-70 or I-68.
As it is built, the four-lane divided bypass runs from a roundabout just south of Winchester Grade Road (near Sheetz) to an area around Fairfax Street, where it will end in a barricade beyond exit and entrance ramps.
A future portion of the road, called the Northern Connector, will reconnect with U.S. 522 in the area south of the Senior Center. It will be built by A.L.L. Construction, which was awarded a design/build contract two years ago.
Asked when construction would start on the northern portion of the bypass, Burns and Ray said it should be spring. Trees in the highway right of way must be down by April of 2025. That portion of the bypass will open in 2027, they said. The state is still acquiring all of the land parcels needed for the northern bypass.
Commission President Sean Forney asked if the goal is to have tractor-trailers getting on the bypass at the Winchester Grade Road end to exit onto WV- 9/Martinsburg Road at the northern end.
“Yes, we prefer to tell truckers if they’ll go on the bypass to go on Route 9 to Martinsburg,” said Burns.
WV-9 to Martinsburg is a two-lane road.
If truckers are going to the north or west, they’ll be directed to stay on the existing U.S. 522 along Valley Road and onto Hancock.
photos by Kate Shunney
Burns confirmed that “nobody wants” trucks to be taken to the current northern end of the bypass and be forced to drive Fairfax Street or Independence Street down steep hills into Berkeley Springs to rejoin U.S. 522.
Another concern is if trucks leave the bypass and continue on Fairview Drive towards Hancock, as some GPS units may direct them.
Burns said there are many signs along roads in West Virginia that warn trucks that certain routes are unsuitable for their travel, but some truck drivers ignore them and follow GPS instead.
“That’s the dilemma. We need to open it but how do you sign it?” Burns said of the 522 bypass.
Why open half?
Why can’t the finished bypass section just stay closed until the northern connector is built?
Burns said the 3.4 miles of paved road must be open to traffic use, in part, because of the type of pavement the state used on the road surface.
Trumbull Construction’s paving contractor has used Superpave – a paving material different from asphalt – for the length of the U.S. 522 Bypass. The material is said to hold up better to traffic and extreme weather, reducing future cracking and rutting. Burns said that material has to have tire traffic on it as soon as that’s possible.
“The pavement will deteriorate faster if it just sits. It can’t just sit with the sun baking it,” Burns told commissioners.
Bypass lighting
Another topic brought up by Burns and county officials, along with two individuals in the commission meeting, is lighting at bypass intersections.
“We’ve been getting a lot of phone calls about Route 9 and the light poles there,” said Burns.
He said the DOH has spoken with Trumbull’s lighting subcontractor, asking them to return to Berkeley Springs and determine if the right lighting fixtures were installed properly.
Burns explained that the lights are supposed to be asymmetrical, with a shield that angles light from the tall poles only onto the roadway, not onto neighboring homes or properties.
Commissioner Bill Clark said it’s important the DOH address those complaints.
“Those folks who have lived near the bypass construction have been through enough,” he said.
“I don’t think anyone realized the whole thing was going to be lit,” said Commissioner Forney.
Two men in the audience confirmed that the lights illuminate a large area throughout the night, affecting homes and activities in the vicinity.
“There’s a huge impact and it’s measurable,” said Mark Garfinkel, EDA member and attorney. “I’m hoping you guys are going to take this seriously.”
Landowners who have had their property affected by the bypass construction can contact the DOH field office near the Berkeley Springs train depot to get assistance from state employees, Burns said.
First responders, schools, safety
Has the DOH coordinated with Morgan County fire, EMS or law enforcement, or Morgan County Schools transportation department to help them plan for different routes, risk factors and exits?
Burns said the state has not done that, but Trumbull Corporation could offer tours and speak with local agencies before the bypass is officially turned over to the Highway Department and opened to traffic.
“They control the job site,” Burns said of Trumbull.
How will local traffic cross the four-lane bypass safely at the two level crossings on Sugar Hollow Road and Johnsons Mill Road?
Burns said stop signs with red flags will alert drivers on those local roads that they are approaching the highway. Those stop signs won’t be lighted.
Millions over budget
Commissioner Forney asked Burns if the bypass project is over budget. The contract to Trumbull Corporation was awarded in the amount of $69 million. Burns said Wednesday that the bypass has seen around $12 million in change orders as it nears completion.
The project is paid for through a combination of federal and state transportation dollars.
Sign strategy
More signs will likely be added to the bypass route as traffic begins and local needs are assessed.
Burns said West Virginia DOH crews will install and maintain any signs that are added beyond speed limits, exits and distance signs.
Burns noted that once the full bypass is open – the current section and the northern connector – traffic flows will be different than the initial vehicle traffic starting this fall.
Commissioner Clark said he knows local tourism folks are discussing how additional signs can draw travelers into downtown Berkeley Springs to sightsee and do business.
Engineer Travis Ray said more work will be done to help Berkeley Springs.
“I know there’s a lot to do once the bypass is open to make Berkeley Springs more pedestrian friendly,” he said.
